Chicken-coop lock



Dec. 16, 1924 1,519,598l

s. STEMPKOSKI CHICKEN COOP LOCK Filed Ju'ly 31, 1925 2 sheets-sheep 1 FIGA. e;

Dec. 16, 1924.

S. STEMPKOSKI CHICKEN CCCP LOCK Filed July 31, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheetl 2 FIGCB.

F IG.

gwowntoc 'Zefn/araes'k Fatented l, 1924 narran STATE-s STANLEY sTEMrKosKI,

OIE LUKE, MARYLAND.

CHICKEN-COOP LOCK.

Application led July 31,

T0 all whom t may conce/ML.' v

Be it known thatl l, STANLEY'Srnirrkosnn a citizen of Poland, residing at Luke, in the county of Allegany and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in` Chicken-Coop Locks, ot which the following is a specification.

rllhis invention relates to chicken coop locks and has particular reference to means for preventing persons from gaining access to the interior of a coop during certain periods of the day.

An important objectv of the invention lis to provide means for locking the door of a chicken coop in such a manner that the said door cannot! loe unlocked while the chickens in the coop are occupying the roost. i

A further object of `the invention is to provide means for locking a chicken coop door, the said means being positioned entirely within the Coopk and under the control of the chickens while roosting so that access thereto cannot he obtained.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will loe apparent during the course otl the following description. i

ln the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure l is a diagrammatical view of a fragmentary portion of a chicken coop with the locking means employed for securing the door in its operative or locked position,vk

Figure 2 is asimilar view to Fig. l and shows the means employed for operatingl the locking mechanism for unlockingl the door. Figure 3 is a similar view to 2 and shows in full and dotted lilies the different positions occupied loyv the holt keepers and operating means and further shows rthe means employed for actuating oneof the holt keepers tor actuating the Ilocking mechanism to lock the door,

Figure et is a fragmentary diagrammatical view of the locking mechanism viewed from above, y v v Figure 5 .is a horizontal sectional vview taken uponline V--V' of Figf,

"Figure G is a perspective-view ot the locking bolt employed. and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one ot the keepers employed. f

ln the drawings, wherein for the purpose 1923. Serial No. 654,940.

o1c .illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of this invention. the numeral 5 designates the chicken coop in its' entirety while the numeral 6 designates the door that is hingedly associated withl the said coop and is adapted for closing the only entrance to the latter through which a person could pass.-

Suitahly secured to the side wall ofthe coop 5 in proximity to the door 6 isa framework 7 that is adapted tor slidably supporting the bolt 8, which moves in ahorizontal plane, and the pair of keepers 9 and l() which move in vertical parallel planes. The holt `8 -isprovidedwith a reduced extension ll that is adapted for engaging one vertical edge of the door G for preventing the same Afrom being opened. The opposite endet the holt 8 is provided with a reduced extension l2 having connected thereto an L-shaped operating rod 13 which is'provided with an eye portion 14 at its free end. 'The' holt 8 is further provided with a spring element l5 which is connected to a portion of the frame 7 and is adapted ior normally retaining the holt 8 in its locked position. The reduced extensions ll and l2 carried by the bolt 8 provide verticallyextending shoulders 16 and 17 respectively which are adapted to he engaged by the keepers lO'and 9 respectively ter 'holding the bolt in its unlocked and locked positions. The `keeper 9 is normally retained in a position for engaging the shoulder 17 for holding the holt 8 in its locked position by means oit the spring element 18 and is connected at its upper end to a. flexible cable or' chain 19 which passes around the-'sheave Q0' and is connected to one end oit' an operating lever 2l which is pivotally connected tothe side wall ot' the coop which carries the mechanism previously described. There is further provided a stop block 2:2 which'acts as a support or rest for the operating lever 2l. The side wall ot the coopz 5 is 'provided with a key hole 23 suitably positioned for allowing the insertion ofthe key 24, shown lin Fig. 2. which moves tlieflever 2l `into a vertical position for shifting the position ot the keeper 9 to alow for the sliding of the bolt 8: to unlock the door 6. rlhe keeper l0 is connected'at its upper end toa flexible cable or chain- 25 which passes upwardly over the sheave Q6 and is connected at its outer end tothe operating lever Q7 which is provided with a stop or rest 28 that is employed tor supporting thev lever 27 in the manner shown.' The ivall of the coop 5 is provided with a. key hole 29 through which the key 30, shown in Fig. ,3, may be inserted for moving the. lever 27 into a vertical position for shifting the keeper 10 upwardly to allow the bolt 8 to move into itslocking position. 1n Fig. 2 there is shown a key 31 which may be inserted through the key hole 32 formed in one otthe walls ot' the coop- 5 for engaging theeye vportion 14 oi vthe pull rod 13 which is adapted for beingemployed to shit't the bolt 8 into its unlocked position.

A roost support 33 is hinge'dly connected, at 34- toa portion ot the-locked mechanism frame 7 and is resiliently connected by the spring 35 at its opposite end to the bracket -36, as shown. The tree or resiliently-support'ed end of this roost trame 33i1s provided with a cross head 37 that is adapted for engaging the bracket 36 to limit the upward n'iov'en'ient oi the frame 33 and is further employed for engaging. the stop' 38 Which prevents the support 33 from moving downwardly too great a distance. In Fig". i there isillustrated opposite side Walls oi the coop 5 Which are provided With the roost supports 33 which carry the roost 39. `It is to be understood that the elements 33 to 37 inclusive vare duplicated on the opposite side Wall ot the coop 5' tothe. Wall which carriesy the locking' mechai'iism previously described.

vThe o eration oi the locking mechanism is as fol owsz- In Fig -1 the door-6 is shown in its closed position and the bolt 8 is properly positioned for preventing the said door 'from being opened.n Vhen'chi'c'kens are perched 'upon the'roost 39,- the support 3 3 with the cross head or guard 37 is Weighted down against the pull ot' the spring` 35 for ycausing the same vto occupy the position shown in dotted lines. The cross head or guard 37 w ill obstruct the key hole' 32 for prevent-ing a person from inserting the key 31 to enthe pull rod 13 for shifting the bolt into its unlocked position. lVhen thechickons have left the roost 39,'su'ch as in the morning after they havel been locked up all night. the perch with its support 33 will be moved upwardly by they. springs 35 for shitting' the cross head -or guard 37 out of alinement With the key hole 3Q. The key 3l may then be inserted through the openf-y ing 32 and positioned to engage the pull vrod 13. The key 24 may thenbe inserted through the key hole v23 for engaging the operating lever Q1. The key 9.4 is then pulled outwardly oi the coop for moving the keeper 9 upwardly outfot engagement with the shoulder 17 'carried by the bolt 8. The bolt may then be moved to the position 'shown in Fig. 2 with the reduced extension 11 moved away from the door 6. The keeper 10, due to the downward y pull of its spring 18, Will' be moved to engage the shoulder 16 carried by the bolt 8 for retaining the latter in its unlocked position. The keys 24 and 31 may then be disengaged from their respective operated elements and removed from the key holes 23 and 32 respectively. The' door 6 may then be opened.

After the chickens have gone to roost lat night, the door 6 may be closed and the key 30 may be inserted through the key hole 29 for migaging the lever 27Vto move the keeper 10 upwardly against the tension of the spring 18. The spring element 15 connected to the bolt 8 will then move the latter into its position forv locking the door 6. The movement ot' the bolt 8 Will naturally cause the shoulder 17 to move laterally of the keeper 9 'for allowing the spring 18 connected thereto to move it downwardly into engagement With the said shoulder- `The bolt8 is then securely held in its locked position by the keeper 9 and spring 'element The previously described operation of the niechanism may then be repeated the 'following morning for gaining access to the interior of the coop 5.

It is to be' understood that the form of this .invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred ex'- ample' of the same, and that various chan-ges in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resortedV to Without: departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of y the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I

claim 1..In a device of the class described, the combination With a coopv having a door, of a bolt positioned Within the coop, means for moving said bolt for-holdingy said door in a closed position, said coop havingv an openine, means adapted to be inserted througi said opening for moving said bolt for releasing said door, and means controlled by the chickens for preventing` the insertion of said-last mentioned means.

2. ln a device of the class described, the

combination with a coop .having a door, of a bolt, holding means for retaining said bolt in its locking or unlocking positions, manually operated means for moving said bolt into its unlocking position, and means controlled by the chickens Within the coop tor preventing the operation of the@ last mentione'dmeans.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination With a coop having a door, of a bolt positioned Within said coop1neans` 'for moving said bolt into itsdocking or unlocking position, means Jfor holding said bolt in said positions, said coop having an opening, means adapted to be inserted through said opening for moving said bolt from its locking to its unlocking position, and means controlled by thechickens Within said coop for preventing the insertion of said bolt operating means.

i. In a device ot the class described, the combination with a coop having a door, otl a bolt positioned Within said coop, means for moving said bolt into its locking position, means tor holding said bolt in its locking position, means for moving said bolt into its unlocking position, means for holding said bolt in .its unlocking position, said coop having a plurality ot key holes, a plurality. ot keys adapted to be inserted through said key holes for operating the respective means ret'erred to above tor holding said bolt in its locking position, ior moving said bolt into its unlocking position, and ior holding said bolt in its unlocking posit-ion, and means controlled 'trom Within said coop tor preventing` movement ot said bolt into its unlocking position.

In a device ot' ,he class described, the combination with a coop 'having' a door, of a` bo'lt positioned within. said coop, keepers lio-r retaining said bolt in its lock-ing or unlocking position, a resilient means for moving said bolt into its locking position, manually operable means controlled trom the exterior ot said coop tor moving said bolt into its unlocking position, means for operating said keepers, and means positioned Within said coop and controlled by the chickens for preventing the 'movement ot said bolt to its unlocking position.

6. In a device ot the class described, the combination With a coop having a door, of a bolt positioned Within said coop, means tor moving said bolt into its locking position, manually operable means tor moving said bolt into its unlocking position, and a -resiliently supported roost Within said coop adapted to be moved into a position for preventing the operation of said manual means to move said bolt into its unlocking position When said roost is occupied.

'7. In a device ot' the class described, the combination with a chicken coop having -a door, of a bolt Within said coop tor retaining said door in a closed position, resilient means for automatically moving said 'bolt into its locking position, keepers for holding said bolt in its locking or unlocking position, resilient means associated with each of said keepers tor automatically moving them into their respective holding' positions, means connectedto each ot' said keepers, the actuation of which will move tlhe keepers into positions out ot holding engagement with said bolt, said coop having openings, means adapted to be inserted through said openings for actuating the means connected to said keepers for moving them out of their holding positions, means connected to said bolt, the actuation ot which Will move said bolt into its unlocking position, said coop having a turther opening, means adapted to be inserted through the last mentioned opening for actuating the means connected to said bolt tor moving' the latter into its unlocking position, and means controlled by the chickens Within the. coop tor preventing the insertion of thelast mentioned means.

8. In a device ot the class described, the combination Witlra coop having a door, ot a boltpositioned within the coop, means for moving said bolt tor holding said doo-r in a closed position, automatically operated means for retaining said bolt in its holding position, said coop having a pair ot openings, means acl'apted to be inserted through one'ot' said openings tofr manually actuating the automatically operated means tor releasing saidi bolt, means adapted to be inserted through the second opening tor moving said bolt for releasing said door, andi means controlled by the chickens for preventing insertion ot' tlhe` last mentioned means.

9. In a device ot' the class described, the combination With a coop having a door, of a bolt positioned Within the coop, resilient means tor moving said bolt tor holding said door in a closed position, said coop having an opening, a. key adapted to be inserted through :aid opening for moving said bolt tor releasing said door, and means controlled by the chickens for preventing t-he insertion of said last mentioned means.

l0. In -a device ot the class described, the combination with a coop having a door, of a bolt positioned Wit-hin said coop, a spring t'or moving said bolt into its locking position, a spring actuated keeper for holding said bolt in its locking position, means for moving said bolt into its unlocking position, a spring actuated keeper for holding said bolt in its unlocked position, a plurality of key holes formed in said coop, a plurality ot keys adapted to be inserted through said key holes for ol'lerating the spring actuated keepers and the means for moving said bolt into its unlocking position, and means controlled from Within said coop t'or preventing the insertion of the key :tor operating the means employed for moving the bolt into its unlocking posi-tion.

ll. In a device ot the class described, the combination with a coop having a door, of a bolt positioned within the coo-p, a spring for moving said bolt for holding said door in a closed position, a spring actuated keeper tor retaining said Abolt in its. holding position, said coop having a pair of openings, a key adapted to 4be inserted through one ot said openings for manually actuating the spring actuated keeper for releasing said bolt, a key adapted to be inserted through the second opening for moving said bolt for releasing .said door, and meansI Qon- Liifolled by ,the chickens for: preventing the insel-'tion .of .the inst mentioned means.

12. ln u. device of the class described, .the combina-tion with a` coop having n. door, .of :L bolt i101'y holding said door in its closed position-n, ,a ,pair of spring .actuated keepers for Anetaiining said bolli; in its locking and unlocking positions, manually operated i0 means for moving` said bolt into its unlocking' position, and means controlled by the .ch'c'lzens Within the .coop Nfoi'v pneventing :the

,operation oi the las-t. mentioned means.

13 In a device of .the class descnibed, the

yconnbiineition With a coop having a. door,v of a 'bolt positioned Within said coop adapted for retaining said door in its yclosed posi.- tion, a tension spring for moving said bolt into its locking position, manually opena'lole melia-ns for movi-ng said boltl intoV its unlocking: position, and .2L resiliently supported -Ioost .Within said coop ada-pied to be moved into .a position for pjeventing the operation of said manual means employed for; moving said :bolt into its unlocking` position, when seid roost is occupied.

ln .testimony whereof I yaiix my sionature. Y

STANLEY STEMPKSKI. 

